Sunday, September 21, 2014

Over the past several years, I have launched a couple of new Google blogs. My fourth such blog, Blondes that DIY, was launched in May 2014. I've been charting the increase to the worldwide readership base over the past 4 months. Wow, look at that map of readers! The readers are from all over the world; well, with the exception of Greenland!

Checking in on my statcounter project this afternoon, I noticed a visit from the Russian Federation. You can actually see that visit in the upper right of the screen capture.

Top Ten Countries in Readership

It has never been a mystery when you look at the top three countries that dominate my readership base. It has always been the United States in the top spot ... in this case 70.6% of the readership is from the USA! Canada accounts for some 7% with the United Kingdom right behind at 5.8%. Usually India and Australia are competing for the 4th and 5th spots. I must admit that I am accustomed to having more Australian readers.

Online content writers and bloggers are continually challenged to secure a strong returning readership base. Some writers and bloggers are blessed with those readers who hang on every word and every new article or blog post. Thus far, I am still working to tickle the fancy of my readers to up the 3.5% of returning visitors.

What do you do to increase your returning visitors? OK, OK! Compelling original, unique and useful content. Hopefully, we will continue to grow and prosper and find a few more interested readers who have time on their hands, when they aren't writing, to come and read some new blog posts.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

The kimono in fashion is an Asian-inspired trend in hot designer fashions. I first started talking about the kimono some seven plus years ago. Oh gosh, can you believe that. And even today, the kimono as you may know it has become uber-trendy in its influence on Western style clothing. The most popular is the kimono dress with a wrap-style and roomy kimono sleeves.

A recognizable designer today who's gotten a lot of buzz is Kara Janx from Project Runway. Her famous flirty and sexy kimono dresses are pictured here. What's great about Kara's kimona dresses is they are excellent travelware!

The kimono in fashion today has transitioned into some pretty cool designer fashions! Do you know that a recent eBay search for "kimono dress" revealed over 1,400 auction listings with nearly 600 store items? Read on to learn more.

I am a fan of black and white so you've got to know that I'm loving this dress!

This is the Ruth Kimono Dress that was spotted and Lord and Taylor! Gosh this is gorgeous.

What makes this great travelware is its composition -- 96% Rayon and 4% Spandex, plus it's American made! Check out the Koh Koh Kimono Dresses at Amazon.

Kimono dress from Target

Would you believe??? This kimono dress was actually spotted at Target! It was designed by Sophie Albou for the Paul & Joe Beaubourg Chic Collection. Wow! If Target has it, the item has gone mainstream.

This dress is made of cotton and silky modal rayon. It has cool bat-wing sleeves that are accentuated by the fitted empire bodice trimmed with ruching. It has an a-line skirt that I love!
It's very cool -- it's a kimono dress that's affordable!

Kimono dress by Rachel Pally

Oo la la! I love this -- it transitions from the typical kimono dress into something quite alluring and versatile. It's a mini; no, it's a top!

It's the Tie Kimono Dress by Rachel Pally!

An on-trend shape with an impeccable drape. Very soft, jersey dress with V at neck and back. 1/4" banding at neckline and tie at cuffs. Unfinished edges at bottom hem and ties. Long, dolman sleeves. 92% modal/8% spandex. Dry clean. Made in the U.S.A. I spotted this at Shopbop for $198.00 in yellow and violet.

Kimono tunic top by Paul & Joe

This is the Anagra Tunic Top by Paul & Joe. For a kimono-style top, this is quite what you'd expect, particularly for the styling, and fabric design.

Kimono-style top with a beautiful combination of creams, peaches, greens, and purples, creating a gorgeous japanese floral design. A blue/green trim on the v-neck and under the bust creates a wonderful contrast. 100% Silk. This was spotted at Pink Moon Boutique.

The wide open neckline leads into an invisible button-fastening front. Miniature pom poms in fuchsia and green trim all edges. The jacket is covered in entwining and blossoming flowers that come in colours such as green, fuchsia, purple, turquoise and brown all on a cream stitching background.

Long wide kimono sleeves. The hemline falls to the hips. A tie front belt sits high on the waist. Cream chiffon lining. Fantastically detailed, this is a stunning jacket, wear casual with jeans over a skinny t-shirt and flats or smart with wide legged trousers and some stomping platforms. Be embroidered. 100% Silk. This was spotted at Browns Fashion.

Thanks for visiting!
Have you gotten into the kimono craze? Do you own a kimono-style dress? What's your favorite kimono dress designer?

History: Kimono Fashion : Uber-Trendy Chic was originally created on Squidoo by JaguarJulie on August 10, 2007. Highest lensrank ever achieved: #425 overall. Lens #61 in the quest for Giant Squid 100 Club Charter Member 2007.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Givenchy : Audrey Hepburn Style! When I think of Givenchy, I think of Audrey Hepburn! I feel passionate about the Givenchy designer brand as it is my favorite designer line and I am a collector of Givenchy signature logo accessories. Naturally, I was compelled to publish this particular article. It is my prediction that this is a designer to watch and that there will be a resurgence in the brand.

Welcome to the Gallery of Givenchy, my designer profile. This is my personal tribute to the fabulous Givenchy brand name.

You'll find coveted items from my personal Givenchy collection that I am presenting for sale as listed in my eCrater store. By the way, I still have that awesome polka dot
Givenchy designer skirt suit to sell. So, if you want a one-of-a-kind, vintage Givenchy design, let me know and I'll get some photos published.

I simply adore the ever-appealing style of Givenchy! It's Audrey Hepburn style that is so fashionable and in demand today!

Givenchy, a Fashion Statement
For half a century, Hubert de Givenchy has been the perfect gentleman of couture; i.e. haute couture. His elegant and lady-like fashion enchanted the aristocratic Parisians who became addicted to his sharp vision of femininity. Ladies dressed by him include Jacqueline Kennedy and the Dutchess of Windsor.

However, the woman most associated with Givenchy was by far Audrey Hepburn whom he dressed. His style was known as elegant, pure, sculptural, and refreshing. His clients were women for whom elegance meant everything.

It was a shock to the fashion world when Givenchy decided to retire in 1995. Ten years after Hubert de Givenchy retired, Riccardo Tischi joined the design house. He has studied the archives carefully and is determined to maintain the high standards of Givenchy.

In 1988, Givenchy sold his business to Moet Hennessy-Louis Vuitton (LVMH) for financial reasons.

Hubert de Givenchy (like Dior) is a division of Europe's largest luxury products manufacturer, Moet Hennessy-Louis Vuitton (LVMH), which is owned and operated by Bernand Arnault through the investment company Financiere Agache.

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton is the world's largest luxury goods company, with brands that are bywords for the good life.

In 1993, this brand achieved total sales worth of $176 million (up 25%), making it the second largest apparel division of LVMH.

The House of Givenchy is a member of Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture et du Pret-a-Porter.

Givenchy IT Bag: Nightingale Satchel Have you seen this brand's IT bag? A number of celebrities had been spotted sporting the Nightingale bag. It was available in a black, white, ivory and other colors plus in a few different sizes. I've seen variations of metallic and patent leather. The authentic bag is made in Italy. The medium is 12" x 19" x 6" and retails for ~$1,295.00. The large is 23" x 16" x 8" and retails for ~$1,695.00. Something to know! I have seen many non-authentic Nightingale handbags for sale on eBay.

Black Patent Leather Pumpkin Bag!
They did it again with a desirable IT bag known as the Pumpkin Backpack-style Bag. This bag had been seen on the runway! What makes it even more stylish this season is that it's a black patent leather ... patent leather is the rage. The bag is embellished with tassels - one of my favorite design elements for accessories. It's also loaded with pockets - nearly one dozen. All hardware is of course engraved with the brand name. This bag is rare and hard to find. However, I do happen to have a chocolate brown leather pumpkin bag available to purchase!

Audrey had a big personality. In the choice of her dresses, in wearing them with such elegance, chic, and simplicity. In a very personal way, she created her own look : 'The Hepburn Style.'

She knew exactly how to shape her strong, independent image. This naturally extended to the way she dressed. And she always took the clothes created for her one step further by adding something of her own, some small personal detail which enhanced the whole.

One thing that struck me about her, apart from her charm and elegance, was her ability to make herself loved and admired by women as well as men.

She was capable of enhancing alI my creations. And often ideas would come to me when I had her on my mind. She always knew what she wanted and what she was aiming for. It was like that from the very start.

Audrey Hepburn
The most ambitious and personal account ever written about Hollywood's most gracious star.

Audrey Hepburn by Barry Paris is a "moving portrayal" that truly captures the woman who captured our hearts.

With the insights of family and friends who never before spoke to a Hepburn biographer-and never-before-published photographs-Paris has created an in-depth portrait of the actress, from her childhood in Nazi-occupied Europe, through her legendary career, and into her UN ambassadorship.

Some of the most fascinating material in this delightfully readable
volume concerns the impact the ever-elegant Audrey Hepburn had on
women's style and self-conception.

I am a Givenchy Collector

Givenchy Pumpkin Bag with Tassels

I've been collecting Givenchy fashion and accessories for a few years. I am showcasing the variety of designer items bearing the brand that are in my personal collection.

I'm particularly fond of the signature logo handbags. I don't think I can bare to ever part with those ... but if the price is right, I will.

Over the past few years, I acquired a polka dot skirt suit from a seller on eBay. Funny, I must be a collector, because I had the suit cleaned and put away in my closet - waiting for that special occasion to wear it.

Any time I can acquire something that satisfies two of my passions -- polka dots AND Givenchy -- well that makes me a happy camper!

By the way, that is a photo of my Givenchy Chocolate Brown Leather Pumpkin Bag with Tassels. It is quite amazing and quite a large pumpkin bag too.

My Personal Collection

Givenchy Signature G Tote

This signature G logo tassel tote with leather trim was a recent acquisition of mine. I am partial to the canvas print with the pretty contrasting colors of tan and brown. In my opinion, this designer line is much preferred over that other "tan and brown" French line!

Givenchy Signature G Baguette

This signature G logo petite handbag with leather trim was purchased by me at the Paris International Airport in a boutique store. By far, this is the priciest handbag that I ever purchased while on a vacation costing about $250.00. It was previously featured in the 2006 Top Ten in my Best Bags review.

I also happen to own another Givenchy Signature G baguette in black and gray. The baguette shape and size is a great little special occasion bag.

I also have an amazing Givenchy Signature G Black and Chocolate makeup bag that is available in my eCrater store.

This coin purse is overflowing with style and personality. I don't believe I've ever owned a coin purse that I've liked better than this one. It has the recognizable designer canvas with the sweet leather tassels and gold tone hardware. I've not added to beautiful item to my eCrater store. If you are interested in acquiring it, please let me know.

Givenchy Beauty Items
There are literally thousands of items with the brand name of Givenchy available on Amazon. You can smell good and look good if you are a man or a woman. Check out the incredible array of Givenchy Beauty items on Amazon!

Thanks for visiting!
Are you a designing man or woman who might be fond of Givenchy? Or, do you have a personal favorite designer? I'd love to hear from you.

History: Givenchy : Audrey Hepburn Style was originally created on Squidoo by JaguarJulie on April 19, 2006. Highest lensrank ever achieved: #426 overall. Lens #20 in the quest for Giant Squid 100 Club Charter Member 2007.

On July 14, 2014, Jacksonville, FL, it was a Second Finale of sorts. After Four Months, Hundreds of Plants, and Thousands of Flowers ... my second sunflower garden had come to an end. It was a particularly hot day in Jacksonville, Florida and I was out in my yard doing the mowing, edging, weeding and pruning throughout my front and back yards. It was in the back of my mind for the last few days that I was going to level my sunflower garden. This was not an easy decision. I still had a few hundred sunflowers blossoming up the stalk; however, the really large blossoms were through.

After four months of tending my garden daily, the time had come. Something else had been occupying my creative time throughout the day. You see, on June 20, 2014, I rescued a white mommy calico cat along with her six little kittens. I estimated the kittens were just at 3 weeks. Each day, these kittens and their mommy filled my daily life. It was my goal to give them all my attention to set them on the path towards being the best possible pets for their new owners.

For six weeks, I spent countless hours with the felines. I found that experience to be one that I will always treasure. However, my second sunflower garden time had been usurped! Therefore, I took it to the ground.

In this photo showing the beautiful white mommy calico cat, the significance of it? I took it on the very day that I rescued her six kittens from the neighbor's bushes. I had found them before 9am that day. And, I had not yet nabbed the mommy cat to bring her into the Florida Room with her six kittens. I let her have some alone time outside. It was a couple of hours later that she came to me looking for her kittens. One thing led to another and I soon had her inside where she stayed with me for the next six weeks.

The Birth of Sunflower Greetings

This year, I found that my flowers were so lovely that I created a new line of Sunflower Greetings Cards at Zazzle. These sunflower blossoms brought me a lot of daily joy ... and I hope that you too will find some joy from my line of Sunflower Greetings [cards] ... Bet you can't pick just one!!

Thanks for visiting!
Have you taken time to check out my line of sunflower greetings cards on Zazzle? Are you also a Zaller pro-seller? OMG, but isn't Zazzle a terrific site. You can find so many creative items there.

History: Excerpt from DIY Garden of Sunflowers that was originally created on Squidoo by JaguarJulie on May 2, 2014. On May 3, 2014 this lens earned the Purple Star Award for quality content. This lens was honored as lens of the day on May 14, 2014.

Sunflower Love 2014. Can two sunflowers show love for each other? I seriously think so! Look. We were well into 2014 here in Jacksonville, Florida. My second DIY
garden of sunflowers was flourishing with many plants ranging well above
five feet. On May 28th, I actually measured one plant at 85 inches!
That's over seven feet at 75 days.

I was so impressed with all the colorful and varied flowers in my garden. What's particularly amazing is that the entire garden is from my seeds harvested from the first garden in 2013.

Each day, I was out in my sunflower garden photographing the many incredible blossoms. It is truly like a spiritual experience for me. Once in a while, I come upon a flower that seems to speak to me more so than the others. Well, heck, if I am to be honest, they all seem to speak to me.

When I spotted two yellow flowers that were face-to-face, it became an interesting photograph. Over the course of a few days, I watched them and marveled at what seemed to be a conversation of sorts. I know people like me talk to our plants, but do they talk to each other. I seem to think so ... seriously!

The rest of the story ... these photos are gracing some greeting cards in my JaguarJulieFlowers Zazzle store!
Here are three examples:

Thanks for visiting!
So, what did you think of my two romantic sunflowers? I'm telling you, the romance went on for days ... back and forth; back and forth! It was the most incredible thing to watch. Like two flowery people engaging in a romantic endeavor. And, it played out right under my nose; I could see it each day from my home office window that overlooks my backyard.

History: Excerpt from DIY Garden of Sunflowers that was originally created on Squidoo by JaguarJulie on May 2, 2014. On May 3, 2014 this lens earned the Purple Star Award for quality content. This lens was honored as lens of the day on May 14, 2014.

On Wednesday evening, June 4th, my sunflower photo made the local evening news at 5:30pm. It was featured as the backdrop for the weather segment on WTLV Channel 12, the NBC affiliate.

That morning, I had sent in a couple of photos of the interesting sky the night before. The sky was pretty striated colors of pale pink and pale blue - like baby colors! After I sent those pictures, I sent a separate email with one sunflower photo.

What I said in my email: "I've been going through my evening photos and found that I captured one of my many sunflowers
against that evening sky. Pretty colorful. By the way, I've included a recent photo of my sunflower garden -- what it looks like now that I added thirty 5 ft. stakes and twine to support it from the winds. With the winds, rain and hail of last week, a good portion of my sunflower garden "hit the ground" -- I had to cut out the damaged plants, put the
blossoms in four vases, and stake the rest. That happened the day that the weather forecast said we had lesser winds. Not in Mandarin!" --Julie

That evening, I had been watching the first part of the 5:30pm news, but was in my office editing more sunflower photos from the day's shoot. That's when an email came in from Mike Prangley, the meteorologist at First Coast News.

"Thanks so much! You made my 5:30 pm newscast so much more fun!!! Keep sending in those pics!" -- Mike

I ran back in to the living room and rewound the program; that's when I snapped this picture!

History: Excerpt from DIY Garden of Sunflowers that was originally created on Squidoo by JaguarJulie on May 2, 2014. On May 3, 2014 this lens earned the Purple Star Award for quality content. This lens was honored as lens of the day on May 14, 2014.

This is the 25 cell greenhouse kit that I used. The instructions are self-explanatory. Even blondes can handle this!

Once your growing mixture has filled the each cell of your seed starting kit, the tough part is to decide which seeds you will plant.

In each of the cells I actually planted two seeds! Using my index finger as a tool, I push the little seeds into the center of the cells. I also opted to use two columns of like seeds from the first and second packets with the middle column from the third packet.

After watering each of the cells, you cover with the plastic film supplied in your kit.I placed it on a waterproof place mat on my kitchen table.

Each morning, you will want to lift the film to check on your progress.

Here is the first view of the little seedlings emerging. Be sure to add a little water to keep each cell moist.

Next morning, more of the little seedlings are emerging in the cells.

I
fill a glass with tepid water and use a tablespoon to spoon the water over each cell; recovering with the plastic film.

Before you know it, the little seedlings are growing!

Each day, a little more growth!

Another day later and it looks as though each cell has something going on!

You are still keeping each cell moist and covering with the plastic film.

At this point of growth, you are no longer using the plastic film to cover the cells.

I opted to replant these in a rectangular container inside for about one more week of growth before transplanting outside in the flower garden.

Move It, Move It, Move It!!

Just a little injection of fun because this should be fun after all. Move your little seedlings to a larger pot before taking them out into the cold cruel world to fend for themselves!! You dig?

I am fortunate to have a finished Florida Room that gets a lots of sunshine. I took the greenhouse kit and broke apart each of the twenty-five cells. I filled the rectangular pot about half way with Miracle-Gro Potting Mix. Then, I spaced out each of the cells with the tiny seedlings. I covered them with the potting mix, watered, and put on
the floor in a sunny corner. Each day, I checked to see that the soil was moist. Soon, it would be time to take the plunge ... OUTSIDE!

Time to Dig; You Dig!

If this is your first DIY garden, you will need to dig out a space that works. Think lots of sunlight. Another good place would be along a fence so that the tall plants will have something to lean on! Lean on me when you're not strong!

History: Excerpt from DIY Garden of Sunflowers that was originally created on Squidoo by JaguarJulie on May 2, 2014. On May 3, 2014 this lens earned the Purple Star Award for quality content. This lens was honored as lens of the day on May 14, 2014.

Celebrating Poppy Flower Art : Ah, Poppies! The poppy flower is probably the most bold and the most beautiful flower for art prints! Ah, pop...

Disclosure Notice : This blog generates income for JaguarJulie based on affiliate relationships with Google and other partners. JaguarJulie is also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.